Connections - The Domino Effect

Mar 23

“Restrictions identified in the head and neck give valuable information on the health of the oral cavity and the horse’s ability to chew.”

By Dr. Laura Parisio-Wood

Many of us have heard of, and hopefully believe in, the phrase: “No hoof, no horse”. Some may have unfortunately experienced directly how pain and imbalance within a horse’s feet can lead to a large variety of other issues. This connection also exists in the relationship between oral health/oral comfort and many other elements that comprise a horse’s wellbeing. A horse who experiences pain while chewing can suffer from resulting restrictions involving the tongue, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), top portion of the neck, and even the shoulders. Further trickle-down effects can alter a horse’s back muscles as well as their ability to engage the hind end for collected movement. I have often experienced first-hand that when a horse has restrictions anywhere in the body, they will reoccur and persist until the underlying root cause is established and addressed.

Any abnormality identified in a horse’s mouth has the potential to create abnormal chewing.

Issues such as:

· dental hooks

· high points on certain teeth within the dental arcade leading to an uneven chewing surface

· ulcerations of the oral mucosa due to excessive sharp points

· diastema (abnormal spaces between teeth which allow for the packing of food against the gums)

· periodontal disease

The above conditions result in oral pain which in turn results in abnormal movement of the jaw. During a chiropractic exam, I palpate a horse for restrictions along joint interfaces and the soft tissue components (tendons, ligaments and muscle) surrounding them. I almost always start at the head and progress back towards the hind end. Restrictions identified in the head and neck give me valuable information on the health of the oral cavity and the horse’s ability to chew.

The TMJ (temporomandibular joint):

This joint has two compartments, an upper and lower portion, which allow the horse’s jaw to move up, down, and sideways. Several powerful muscles connect around this joint region to aid in chewing, biting, and opening the mouth.

When this joint is restricted, it can prevent normal mobility of the lower jaw (the mandible). TMJ restrictions also lead to restrictions at the top of the neck, causing reduced ability for lateral bend and altered proprioception. A restriction to movement of the mandible can also cause prolonged extension of the back muscles. This creates a hollow back and makes hind end collection more difficult for the horse. A directed manual adjustment can be applied to either or both compartments of the TMJ to alleviate these restrictions. Although many horses will show obvious signs of improved comfort after adjustment, the benefits will quickly dissipate if the underlying cause within the mouth is not addressed.

The Hyoid: This is a series of small bones in the horse’s head, involved in the function of the tongue, the larynx and pharynx through many important muscle attachments. For our purposes, in terms of palpation, we focus on the portion attached to the muscles at the back of the tongue, the bottom-most bone of the hyoid (the basihyoid bone). This little portion of the bone, palpable in the space between the lower jaws of a horse, must be free of restrictions in all directions. Due to the important muscle attachments, restrictions here can affect a horse’s posture, sense of balance, lateral bending of the neck and range of motion within the shoulders, and tongue placement which can obstruct their airway.

Cervical vertebrae 2 and 3: This portion of the neck, close behind the ears, can become restricted secondarily to TMJ restrictions. This is due to muscles connecting both regions. Restrictions in this part of the neck have a significant effect on the horse’s ability to bend, flex, and rotate the neck as they normally would.

What signs will horse owners see?

Sticking the tongue out when ridden
Hollow back
Shortened stride
Refusing to collect under saddle
Refusal to engage the bit for active contact when ridden
Muscle atrophy, especially in the cheek muscles (masseter muscles) or forehead muscles (temporalis muscles) * pain leads to lack of movement which then leads to decreased nervous system input to the muscles affected
Loss of topline, muscle atrophy along the back
Excessive spookiness, aggression, or even depression

In 2018, I completed the course in Veterinary Medical Manipulation at the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute with the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida to achieve certification in spinal manipulation (the veterinary equivalent of chiropractic therapy) https://chiu.edu/courses/MANP101_USA_EN Dr. Carla Pasteur, head veterinarian instructor and one of the founding contributors to the IVMI program, has taught me much of the information and techniques mentioned above. One of the most important learning concepts recurrent throughout the program was the connection between the components of a horse’s anatomy and how they relate to form and function. No part and therefore no restriction of one part of the horse, exists without effect upon the rest. These concepts have shaped how I examine horses and offer treatment. This education has been an inspiration for the creation of Nashaway Equine: Connecting oral comfort and spinal function through the dedicated treatment of them both.